K. S. Chithra was introduced to Hindi film music in 1985; she recorded her first Hindi song composed by S. P. Venkitesh, which was not commercially released. For the 1991 Hindi film Love, composers Anand–Milind, called upon her to sing duets song along with S. P. Balasubrahmanyam and since then, Chithra has recorded for around 200 Bollywood songs. Then she went on recording some Hindi songs under A. R. Rahman's compositions from 1991 to 1995, her breakthrough in Hindi film music came through "Kehna Hi Kya" from the film Bombay (1995), which was highly successful in the North Indian region and gave her an identity in Bollywood film industry ("Kehna Hi Kya" was included in The Guardian newspaper's "The 1000 songs that everyone must hear"). For the song "Payalein Chunmun" recorded in the 1997 film Virasat, Chithra received the National Film Award for Best Female Playback Singer and became the only South India based female singer till date to achieve the feat. Her most number of Hindi songs were recorded for Anu Malik, the most notable being her voice recorded for eight songs out of eleven in the soundtrack of Main Prem Ki Diwani Hoon in 2003.
Some of Chithra's memorable Hindi songs include "Ye Haseen Wadiyan" from Roja, "Yaaron Sun Lo" from Rangeela, "Hum Tumse Na" from Ziddi, "Payale Chunmun" from Virasat (she won a National Award, Star Screen Award and the nomination for FilmfareAwards for her rendition), "Raat Ka Nasha" from Aśoka, "Pyaar Tune Kya Kiya (sad version)", "Rang De Basanti" title track, "Mere Dil Ka Tumse Hi Kehna" from Armaan, "Mere Dil Ka Tumse Hi Kehna" from the film Armaan In the composition of Rajesh Roshan, she has sung "Koi Mil Gaya" title song of the film Koi... Mil Gaya for which she won Bollywood Movie Awards, MTV Immies Award and the nomination for Filmfare Awards. "Tum Bin Jiya Jaye Kaise" from the film Tum Bin topped the charts and she was lauded for her expressive rendition.
Apart from film songs, Chithra recorded for many private albums of which Piya Basanti and Sunset Point became hugely popular and went on to win several laurels including the MTV Music Video Awards. The popularity of the former album made her known among the Northern part of Indians identify her as "Piya Basanti" Chitra.
Film songs This is an incomplete list YearFilmSongComposer(s)Writer(s)Co-artist(s)1991Love "Saathiya Tune Kya Kiya"Anand MilindMajrooh SultanpuriS. P. Balasubrahmanyam ()"Aaja Aaja Give Me A Kiss""My Love Meri Priyatama""We Are Made For Each Other"Ashwini"Koyal Kaali Daali"M. M. Kreem"Zindagi Yeh Dhool"Giraftaari"Dekho Kitna Door Hai"Ilaiyaraaja"Rimjhim Rimjhim"1992Drohi "Jungle Dance"Mani SharmaJaved AkhtarJojo"Dhadakti Mere Dil"R. D. BurmanDharam Yodha"Mujkho Yeh Lagta Hai"A. R. RahmanP. K. MishraJaagruti"Hawa Mei Kya Hai"Anand MilindSameerSPB"Jalnewale To Jalte Rahenge""Hawa Mei Kya Hai (Sad)""Hawa Mei Kya Hai (Jhankar beats)"Roja "Ye Haseen Wadiya" A. R. Rahman P. K. Mishra SPB1993Ashaant "Jaani Jaani Jaani"Jatin–LalitSameerSantaan "Aa Zara Kareeb Aa"Anand MilindSameer AnjaanSPBChor Chor "Jhoom Jhoom"A. R. RahmanP. K. MishraSPB"Pyaar Kabhi Na"Udit Narayan, ManoThe Great Robbery"O Raveena"Raj–Koti"Man Hai Beqabu"1994Aaj Ka Romeo"Ae Haseena Nazneena"Deva"Aye Jaani Dilbar Jaani"Bhairav Dweep"Aaye Teri Roop Rachana"Madhavapeddi SureshThe Gentleman "Roop Suhana Lagta Hai"A. R. Rahman (Reused By Anu Malik)IndeevarSPB "Jhoom Ke Dil Ne"Raj–KotiRajan KheraSajna Doli Leke Aana"Chitapata Aaja Gori"M. M. KreemSuhaag "Tere Liye Janam"Anand MilindSameerSPBTejasvini"Paisa Dewe To"Laxmikant–PyarelalTu Hi Mera Dil "Anjali Anjali"A. R. RahmanP. K. MishraSPB1995Bombay "Kehna Hi Kya"MehboobCriminal "Tu Mile Dil"(Film Version)M. M. KreemIndeevarKumar Sanu"Keemti Keemti Hai"SPB, Alka Yagnik, M. M. Keeravani"Kisi Ka Tu Hoja"Abhijeet BhattacharyaHaathkadi "Jawani Mei Aag Lagi"Anu MalikSameerAnu Malik "Janta Hu Manta Hu"SPBBaasha "Chehre Pe Dhoop"DevaMehboobK. J. YesudasMaa Ki Shakti"Ye Mann Pyasa Tera"Sri KommineniRangeela "Yaaro Sunlo Zara"A. R. RahmanMehboobUdit NarayanPriyanka "Thoda Thoda Pyar"(Version l)P. K. MishraSPB"Thoda Thoda Pyar"(Version ll)1996Khel Khiladi Ka "Chumma De Chumma De"MehboobSPBIs Raat Ki Subah Nahin "Dushmani Hogi"M. M. KreemNida Fazli "Chup Tum Raho"M. M. Kreem "Hey Babu"SPB "Pehli Baar Mile"Sazaa-E-Kalapani "Zindagi Mei Tum Mile"IlaiyaraajaP. K. MishraHariharan "Bachpan Ke Saathi Mere"Hariharan "Sandhya Ki Laali"M. G. Sreekumar "Baaghon Ke Bahaare"Maun "Kya Haseen Raat Hai"M. M. KreemSameerSPB"Pyar To Hua"Udit Narayan, Sindhu "Sajna Mujhko Kya"SPB1997Love Birds "Milgaye Milgaye"A. R. RahmanMehboobHariharanAflatoon "Tu Mange Dil"Dileep Sen — Sameer SenPardes "Jahaan Piya Wahan Main"Nadeem ShravanAnand Bakshi Shankar MahadevanSapnay "Ek Bagiya Mei"A. R. RahmanJaved AkhtarShankar Mahadevan, SrinivasVirasat "Payalein Chunmun"(Duet)Anu MalikJaved AkhtarKumar Sanu "Payalein Chunmun"(Female)Ziddi "Hum Tumse Na Kuchh"Dileep Sen — Sameer SenSameerHariharan "O Haseena"Kumar Sanu "Aji Suno Suno"Udit Narayan1998Chhota Chetan"Chhota Chetan"Anu MalikKabhi Na Kabhi "Tu Hi Tu"A. R. RahmanJaved AkhtarM. G. Sreekumar, A. R. Rahman "Mere Yaara Dildara"Hariharan, SPBSalaakhen "Pagal Deewana Awaara"Dilip Sen - Sameer SenSameerVinod Rathod "Zubaan Pe Jo"Udit NarayanZakhm "Maa Ne Kaha"M. M. KreemAnand Bakshi1999Hote Hote Pyar Ho Gaya"Pyaar Wale Rang"Anand Raaj AnandSilsila Hai Pyar Ka "Aaj Raat Ayega"Jatin–LalitSameerSooryavansham "Dil Mere Tu Deewana"(Female)Anu MalikSameer"Har Subah Bahut Yaad"Kumar Sanu2000Tera Jadoo Chal Gayaa "Tera Jadoo Chal Gayaa"Ismail DarbarSameerSonu NigamMuthu Maharaja"Phoolwali Ne Loota"A. R. RahmanPK MisraUdit Narayan, G. V. Prakash Kumar2001Aks "Hum Bhool Gaye"Anu MalikGulzarAsoka "Raat Ka Nasha Abhi"(Female)Anu MalikGulzar"Raat Ka Nasha Abhi"(Duet)Abhijeet BhattacharyaPyaar Tune Kya Kiya "Pyaar Tune Kya Kiya"Sandeep ChowtaNitin RaikwarPaagalpan "Dekhte Dekhte"Raju SinghSameerSrinivas"Mera Dil"Tum Bin "Tum Bin Jiya Jaye Kaise"Nikhil-VinayFaaiz Anwar"Pyar Humko Hone Laga"Abhijeet BhattacharyaLittle John "Baila Re Baila"Pravin ManiJaved AkhtarClinton Cerejo, GopiJaana Na Dil Se Door"Jaana Na Dil Se Door"Dilip Sen - Sameer SenNeerajUdit Narayan"Tu Chala Jo Apni"Kaifi AzmiHariharan, Udit Narayan"Yeh Dharti Gagan"NeerajKumar Sanu"Dil Mein Yeah Kaisa"Kumar Sanu, Sanjeevani2002Agni Varsha "Dole Re Mann Mora"Sandesh ShandilyaJaved AkhtarKKFilhaal... "Kyun Baar Baar"Anu MalikGulzar"Le Chale Doliyon Mei"Roop Kumar Rathod"Naya Naya"KKYeh Kaisi Mohabbat "Pyar Hai Tumse" Sandeep ChowtaShaan2003Armaan "Mere Dil Ka Tumse"Shankar–Ehsaan–LoyJaved AkhtarKahan Ho Tum"Tan Man Pe Aaj"Rajat DholakiaChota Jadugar"Taare Soye Tu"SharrethFun 2shh: Dudes in the 10th Century "Dhuan Dhuan Sa"PritamMayur Puri and Amitabh BhattacharyaSanjeevaniJaal: The Trap "Jo Pyar Tumne"Anand Raj AnandJaved AkhtarZubeen Garg, Anand Raj AnandKoi... Mil Gaya "Koi Mil Gaya"Rajesh RoshanIbrahim AshkUdit NarayanMain Prem Ki Diwani Hoon "Bani Bani"Anu MalikDev Kohli"Chali Aayee"KK"Sanjana I Love You"KK, Sunidhi Chauhan"O Ajnabi"KK"Kasam Ki Kasam"Shaan"O Ajnabi"(Sad)KK"Bhatke Panchi""Prem! Prem! Prem!"Shaan, KKPyaar Kiya Nahin Jaatha"Nazrein Mil Jaati Hai"Anand Raaj AnandSonu Nigam2004Charas "Tumhe Arpan"Raju SinghJaved AkhtarHariharanKis Kis Ki Kismat"Uff A Jawani"D. ImmanRudraksh "Dil Ki Aahein"Shashi PreetamShashi PritamKK"Bole Dole"Sandeep, Bhaumik, Shashi PritamUff Kya Jadoo Mohabbat Hai"Tum Pe"Sandesh ShandilyaSonu Nigam"Jagmug"Vinod Rathod2005Parineeta "Raat Hamari Toh"Shantanu MoitraJaved AkhtarSwanand Kirkire2006Rang De Basanti "Rang De Basanti"A. R. RahmanPrasoon JoshiDaler MehndiSri Ram Mandhir"Dasharathi"M. M. Kreem2007Apna Asmaan"Jhanana Jhanana"Lesle LewisGuru "Ek Lo Ek Muft" A. R. RahmanGulzarBappi Lahari "Jaage Hain"A. R. Rahman, Madras Chorale GroupSwami "Swami" Nitin Arora - Sony ChandySameerHariharan "De Jab Duaayen" "Aankhon Ki" "Naa Tin Dhinna" "Dhyaan"2008Via Darjeeling "Baarish"Prabuddha BanerjeeMrityunjay Kumar Singh200913B "Aasman Odhkar"Shankar–Ehsaan–LoyNeelesh MishraShankar Mahadevan"Aasman Odhkar"(Remix)2010Ada... A Way of Life "Tu Mera Hai"A. R. RahmanNusrat BadrSukhwinder Singh, Naresh IyerLava Kusa: The Warrior Twins"Ramayana Divya Katha"L. Vaidyanathan"Shree Raghunadhki"The Film Emotional Atyachar"Yaadon Ki"Mangesh DhakdeTwinkle Twinkle Little Star"Mann Hai Mera"(Female)IlaiyaraajaDev Kohli2021Marakkar: Lion of the Arabian Sea"Nanhe kunjali"Ronnie Raphael2022Major"Mere Laalna"Sricharan PakalaRitesh Rajwada2023The Kerala Story"Tu Mila"Viresh SreevalsaOzhil Dalal2024Thalapathy is the G. O. A. T."Chhoti Chhoti Aankhen"Yuvan Shankar RajaRaqueeb AlamJaved Ali2025 "Crazxy""Yun hi chale gaye"Osho Jain Osho Jain Hai Junoon! Dream.. Dare.. Dominate. Roop Suhana Lagta hain - Trap Mix Anu Malik, Farooq Got Audio ( Remixed) Indeevar S. P. Balasubrahmanyam
Non-film songs YearAlbum titleSongComposer(s)Writer(s)Co-artist1993Ragga Raaga "Gori Gori"Salim–SulaimanVodoo Rapper "Kabhi Yahaan Kabhi Wahaan" "Kiss Me" "Senoritaa"1995Dole Dole & Other Hits"Sangeet"Solo2000Sunset Point "Kachche Rang"Vishal Bhardwaj Gulzar "Aa Chal Doobke"Bhupinder Singh, Gulzar "Aasmani Rang" "Aarzoo Meri" "Pakhiyan Ve Pakhiyan""Aa Chal"(Reprise)"Kachche Rang"(Repise)Piya Basanti "Piya Basanti"Kishan RajbhattUstad Sulthan Khan "Surmayi Aankhen" "Shaam Dhale" "Chale Re" "Sawan Rut Aayi" "Rangeelo Rut"2006Ustad & the Divas"Haiye Re"Sandesh ShandilyaIrshad Kamil"Rangeelo Rut"Ustad Sultan Khan2007Zindagi "Pal Pal Bekal"Alaap Dudul SaikiaSunil Bhatia Zubeen Garg "Sham Dhal Jaye"Ravi Basnet2008Nightingale - Tribute to Lataji "Raina Beeti Jaaye" "Roz Shaam Aathi Thi" "Tu Jahaan Jahaan" "Teri Aakhon" "Na Jane Kyun" "Ab Toh Hai Tumse"2009Kehna Maine Yaad Kiya Hai "Kehna Maine Yaad Kiya Hai" Afsar & Sajid "Kyun Humare Khwab Mei" "Bas Ek Baat Ka Humko Gila" "Ho Sake Toh Mujhe Bhula Dena" "Mere Aansooo Ponchhathe Hi" "Kehna Maine Yaad Kiya Hai II" "Tu Hawaaon Mei Bikhar" "Hai Tamanna Ajeeb Rehne Do"Andaaz "Dard Badhkar" Ramesh Narayan "Apni Dhun" "Ilahi" "Duniya Jise" "Jab Kisi Se" "Hum Resh Ko" "Tu Apne" "Raat Bhi"Sadaa"Phool Thumse"(Duet)Vijay KarunHariharan"Phool Thumse"(Female)2012Piya Basanti Again "Piya Basanti in the Lounge"Ustad Sulthan Khan "Sehra Sehra" "Chand Hain" "Kab Aaoge" "Gori Tune" "Dil Ka Tu"2014A Lullaby Of Hope "Chanda Re"Varun Sunil2014Raunaq "Sach Kahoon"A. R. RahmanA. R. Rahman2017Bholi Bano "Bholi Bano OST (Rang Mein)" Owais Masood2018Gohar-e-Nayab "Gohar-e-Nayab OST (Neend Mein)" Owais Masood 2019Jai Hind Vandemataram "Zee music for Independence Day" Shivkumar Bilagrami 2020 Jayatu Jayatu Bharatam "Jayatu Jayatu Bharatam" Shankar Mahadevan2021The Song Of 7th International Day Of YogaTheme : Yoga for WellnessKailash Kher Composed & lyrics Launched by Honorable Prime Minister of India Sh. Narendra Modi and PIB IndiaSonu Nigam Shankar Mahadevan, Daler Mehndi, Shaan, Kailash Kher and various other international artists.Meri Pukaar Suno"Ek Jahaan Ek Ummeed Ek Waada"A. R. RahmanGulzarSadhana Sargam, Shreya Ghoshal, Alka Yagnik, Shashaa Tirupati, Armaan Malik, Asees Kaur2023AarambhPayo jiRicky Kej Traditional - Meera Bhajan Abby V
References
External links K.S.Chithra on Hungama Digital Media Entertainment